The Emerald City meets the Emerald Isle

Dublin is great for a lot of things. There's great people, food and beautiful architecture, but there is so much hidden behind this beautiful city. Some of the world's darkest and saddest history has happened within Dublin and there isn't a single place you can go without stepping on ground where history took place.

Today we visited two major places, as well as our accommodations, Trinity College. We toured, Kilmainham Gaol (jail), we then enjoyed our free time with our friends at Temple Bar, blocks dedicated to pubs, restaurants and souvenir shops.

Kilmainham Gaol was home to many important political leaders during the Easter rising, and was the death place for brave individuals trying to reform their country. It was also home to prisoners coming from London and passing through on their way to Australia. Kilmainham influenced us all, the energy of that building and the heavy history there affected everyone and gave us a stronger sense of the history behind not just Dublin but all of Ireland.

Temple Bar is not actually a bar, in fact, Ireland doesn't have bars, they have pubs. Temple Bar is a really fun place, just by walking in you are submerged into Irish culture. Locals wander about chatting loudly amongst themselves. Many street performers line the cobblestone paths and tourists from everywhere dart through the crowds aimlessly, like we did. Irish people are very keen on being social and many Dubliners take great pride in their city and it's history. Every step you take in Temple Bar is reminiscent of this great happiness and pride the Irish get from their independence. It is great to see this pride in person by just walking around a few blocks. Everyone seems cheerful, and that rubs off on tourists like the us.

Dublin has been great so far, one more full day and then onto the next phase of our adventure.

Love, Clara

PS: Note from the teachers --- We will do a fuller teacher update, with a bit more info when we are not completely jet lagged!